Act 3 Scene 4

The last scene, which charted the development of Othello’s jealousy, became terrifyingly intense. Now a few weak jokes from the Clown attempt to relax the atmosphere before the action resumes.
Desdemona has noticed that her handkerchief is lost, but she persists in her efforts to bring Cassio back into Othello’s favour. Othello, however, demands the handkerchief, insisting on its magical powers. Desdemona is distressed, and Emilia is amazed. Othello leaves the stage, giving opportunity for Iago to bring Cassio to Desdemona. He pleads with her, and although Desdemona is upset, she promises to give what help she can and leaves Cassio so that she can seek out her husband. The missing handkerchief is produced when Cassio gives it to Bianca, his mistress.
2	lies: lodges: but the Clown pretends to understand “lies” = speaks falsehoods.
6	stabbing: death (by stabbing).
8, 9	where I lie: i.e. because he does not know.
11	devise: invent.
13	to lie . . . throat: to tell a deliberate lie.
14	edified: instructed# the word is usually used in a religious context — and the Clown responds to this.
16	catechize: a method of Christian teaching, by question and answer.
19	moved: spoken to.
21	compass: scope.
26	crusadoes: gold coins (which were stamped with a cross).
but: except that.
31	humours: moods.
33	called: reconciled.
34	O . . . dissemble: How hard it is to deceive# or perhaps Othello is calling for strength in order to deceive.
36	moist: a damp, sweating palm was thought to indicate sexual awareness.
38	liberal: generous.
40	sequester: restraint.
41	castigation: discipline.
44	frank: revealing.
46	The hearts . . . hearts: In the olden days lovers (“hearts”) used to give their hands (i.e. in marriage), but nowadays they give their hands only, not their hearts.
47	new heraldry: modern customs (the reference is to the heraldic coat of arms designed for new orders of nobility).
48	speak of: understand.
49	chuck: a term of endearment.
51	salt and sorry rheum: miserable running cold.
56	Egyptian: These were believed to be the ancestors of the modern gipsies.
57	charmer: enchantress.
59	amiable: beloved.
62	spirits: desires.
63	fancies: loves.
64	when . . . wived: when it was my fortune to marry.
65	her: i.e. his wife.
heed on’t: care of it.
67	perdition: disaster.
68	match: equal.
69	web: weaving.
70	sibyl: prophetess.
70	that had . . . compasses: i.e. she was two hundred years old.
72	prophetic fury: frenzy of inspiration.
73	hallowed: sacred.
74	mummy: mummia — a preparation made from mummified dead bodies.
75	Conserved of: Prepared from.
76	look to’t well: take good care of it.
77	would: I wish.
79	startingly and rash: abruptly and violently.
80	out o’th’way: missing.
81	The way these lines are divided between the two speakers makes for speed in their delivery.
82	Say you: What do you say?
83	an if: if perhaps.
87	to put . . . suit: make me forget what I wanted.
89	misgives: fears the worst.
90	sufficient: competent.
93	founded: based.
99	wonder: magic.
101	’Tis . . . man: It doesn’t take very long for us to know what men are like.
102	All men are merely appetites, and women are nothing but food to them.
106	the happiness: what luck (to have found Desdemona).
110	Exist: Be myself.
111	office: loyalty.
112	I would not be delayed: I don’t want to waste time.
113	mortal: deadly.
114	nor. . . nor: neither . . . nor.
115	purposed merit: what I intend to deserve.
in futurity: in times to come.
116	ransom: buy my way back.
117	But to know so: Only to know this (i.e. the hopelessness of the situation).
be my benefit: would be a help.
118	Then I shall have to be satisfied with that.
119	shut myself up: engage myself.
some other course: a different career.
120	To fortune’s alms: To beg a living from fortune.
121	advocation: advocacy.
in tune: suitable.
123	favour: appearance.
humour: temper.
124	I swear before all the blessed angels.
125	As: That.
all my best: to the best of my ability.
126	within the blank: at the centre of the target (in archery).
127	free speech: outspokenness.
136	of moment: very important.
137	There’s . . . indeed: It’s serious then.
138	sure: I’m sure.
139	unhatched practice: undisclosed plot.
140	demonstrable: obvious.
141	puddled: disturbed.
142	wrangle with: quarrel over.
143	’Tis even so: That must be it.
144	If our finger aches, it makes the whole of our body hurt.
147	of them: from them.
observancy: attentiveness.
148	the bridal: the wedding-night.
Beshrew me much: Desdemona swears a very mild oath.
149	unhandsome warrior: unskilled soldier# Desdemona remembers how Othello called her his “fair warrior” when he greeted her in Cyprus (2, 1, 183).
150	Arraigning: Accusing.
unkindness: unnatural behaviour.
151	suborned the witness: caused the witness [i.e. herself] to give false evidence.
152	indicted: accused.
153	State matters: affairs of state.
conception: fantasy.
154	toy: fancy.
157	ever: always.
for the cause: for some reason.
158	for: because.
It: Emilia echoes her husband’s description of the monster which is the personification of jealousy.
166	Save you: Bianca gives a familiar greeting — “God Save you” — to Cassio.
What . . . home: What are you doing away from home?
167	How . . . you: How are you?
170	a week: It would seem that a week has elapsed between this scene and the previous one.
171	lovers’ absent hours: the hours when lovers are away from each other.
172	dial: clock.
174	leaden . . . pressed: tortured (as a victim was pressed to death with heavy weights) by heavy thoughts.
175	continuate: uninterrupted.
176	Strike off this score: Cassio picks up “score” from Bianca and uses it to mean “debt”# in an inn the customer’s bill — “score” — would be kept until he could pay — strike it off.
177	Take . . . out: Copy this embroidery for me.
whence came this: where did you get this?
178	token: i.e. love-token.
friend: i.e. mistress.
191	no addition: not good for me.
192	womaned: with a woman.
198	circumstanced: put up with it.